Fathers fight for custody after child abuse investigation charges are released

One of the fathers WLFI spoke to said he has filed for custody against Ashey Stigers multiple times before this incident.

Posted: Jun. 26, 2018 6:34 PM

Updated: Jun. 26, 2018 6:35 PM

Posted By: Jenna Liston

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)-- One of the fathers WLFI spoke to said he has filed for custody against Ashey Stigers multiple times before this incident.

According to court documents, Stigers was not the one abusing the children but watched while it all happened.

Stigers ex-boyfriend, Isaiah Ramos, said his daughter is back at home with Stigers and he just wants her back in his care.

Tuesday morning, Shannon Breaux and Ashley Stigers were accused of neglect of a dependent and criminal confinement.

"It may not have been done to her but she had to see what was going on," said Ramos.

Ramos said his daughter wasn't physically hurt but was scared emotionally. He said his DCS caseworkers originally told him that because Shannon Breaux allegedly hurt the children and Ashley Stigers was only a witness, his daughter was released back into Stiger's care last Friday night.

"You know I've been fighting for quite some time, had 23 contempts of courts on Ashley, over visitation, head lice, stuff like that, and all she got was nothing."

Ramos said when he asked his daughter how she felt going back, she was hesitant. Over the weekend, family members and neighbors rallied together to make their voices heard.

Father Nicholas Campbell was supporting Ramos for his daughter but he said knowing this allegedly happened to his son is heartbreaking.

"I can't believe at six years old he had to go through something this horrific," said Campbell.

"It doesn't matter to me who was actually the one doing the physical restraining, they were both just as guilty of it."

Ramos hopes this message will change the situation.

"That's one of my concerns, what if mom does take him (Breaux) back, what's going to happen now since he has been in jail and in trouble," said Ramos.

"It could be worse than what it was the first time."

Ramos said he will be hiring an attorney to schedule another emergency hearing. Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said they are working closely with DCS and everyone who was a witness or victim was interviewed.

DCS has yet to respond to the questions WLFI has sent out in regards to this case.